Saturday, December 21, 2013

Happy Winter Solstice everyone. I'm solo in the kitchen at Tune Farm while everyone runs errands before the weather takes a possible drastic turn. We rescheduled our celebration for this evening until next week due to possible tornado's in the area but I am still cooking up a storm for a cozy night in.

I'm fond of this quote I found today while reading up on ceremony and the history of the day- "Throughout history, celebrating the solstice has been a way to renew our
connection with each other and with the numinous through acts of
goodwill, special rituals, and heightened awareness."

There are numerous pecan trees that produce SO MANY NUTS surrounding the house at Tune Farm and I've spent time collecting many pounds of them while here (keep an eye on the mail Milwaukee friends.) There are also two medlar trees out front of the house that Lindsay harvested from last week. A new fruit to me I learned you let the fruit mature on the bush (a process called bletting) before you eat it. It tastes like fall, almost a pre-made appleish butter type paste. If your into weird edible plants read more about the really amazing history of the medlar in this article I found here.

During my many walks around the property I have found feathers, turtle shells, Lindsay and Benford found one last persimmon fruit they shook down from a tree we all got to taste. My time here is the perfect lead up to this winter solstice. Tonight we set our intentions for the year to come, hopefully not from the basement with tornado's outside.....

Thursday, December 19, 2013

In addition to spending time out at Tune Farm this month I have been exploring Alabama as much as possible. I've been here a few times before so there have been some return visits to some favorite spots as well as new discoveries.

Some highlights have included visiting Florence and seeing the behind the scenes of the Billy Reid studio, the powerful Prehistoric Mound oddly nestled in-between industrial factories, getting a chocolate malt at Trowbridge's Ice Cream Shop, seeing the circus train blaze past while driving on Old Hwy 31, being invited to the 9th annual ladies dinner in Birmingham with an amazing meal cooked by Pop Up Kitchen Birmingham, spending time with the lovely Merrliee Challiss, revisiting Ava Maria Grotto, watching the full moon rise + having a bonfire in the yard and preparing for Saturday's Solstice Ceremony.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

This is the first of a series of posts of images from my month in December on my residency at Tune Farm. This place has a long history that I am still wrapping my brain around but is known for being the first certified organic farm in Alabama. Positioned on 262 acres of amazing land in Morgan County so I will only scrape the surface while here during my residency but I think you will start to get the idea of the magic that is here.

Yesterday I harvested pecans in a t-shirt in the sun, watched the full moon rise followed by a bonfire in the yard. Working on being in the moment. When we find ourselves in the perfect place at the perfect time.

Diane Morrow Tune

A nice shot of resident farmers Benford, Pete & Lindsay of Harvest Roots, who have opened up their home to me this month. More soon if the rural internet allows.....

Hello.Over the past 10 years I've used this blog for various purposes. Before I had a website or instagram existed it provided me a home base for my photographs, acting as the core method of communication. I've also used it as a way to keep track of projects, events and places I am visiting.

Now that I'm not on the go as much I post less frequently, but will continue to make updates when I feel inspired.